Somatomedin receptor of human placenta: solubilization, photolabeling, partial purification, and comparison with insulin receptor

IGF/IGF-1R signal pathway in pain: a promising therapeutic target

Pain, one of the most important problems in the field of medicine and public health, has great research significance. Opioids are still the main drugs to relieve pain now. However, its application is limited due to its obvious side effects. Therefore, it is urgent to develop new drugs to relieve pain. Multiple studies have found that IGF/IGF-1R pathway plays an important role in the occurrence and development of pain. The regulation of IGF/IGF-1R pathway has obvious effect on pain. This review summarized and discussed the therapeutic potential of IGF/IGF-1R signal pathway for pain. It also summarized that IGF/IGF-1R regulates pain by acting on neuronal excitability, neuroinflammation, glial cells, apoptosis, etc. However, its mechanisms of occurrence and development in pain still need further study in the future. In conclusion, although more deep researches are needed, these studies indicate that IGF/IGF-1R signal pathway is a promising therapeutic target for pain.

Decorin inhibits the insulin-like growth factor I signaling in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of aged humans

Aging impairs the IGF-I signaling of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (bmMSCs), but the mechanism is unclear. Here, we found that the ability to auto-phosphorylate IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) in response to IGF-I was decreased in the bmMSCs of aged donors. Conversely, data showed that decorin (DCN) expression was prominently increased in aged bmMSCs, and that under IGF-I treatment, DCN knockdown in serum-starved aged bmMSCs potentiated their mitogenic activity and IGF-IR auto-phosphorylation, whereas DCN overexpression in serum-starved adult bmMSCs decreased both activities. Co-immunoprecipitation assays suggested that IGF-I and DCN bound to IGF-IR in a competitive manner. Online MethPrimer predicted 4 CpG islands (CGIs) in the introns of DCN gene. RT-qPCR and bisulfite sequencing showed that dimethyloxalylglycine, an inhibitor of DNA demethylation, increased DCN mRNA expression and CGI-I methylation in adult bmMSCs, whereas 5-aza-2’-deoxycytidine, a DNA methylation inhibitor, decreased DCN mRNA expression and CGI-I methylation in aged bmMSCs, and ultimately enhanced the proliferation of serum-starved aged bmMSCs under IGF-I stimulation. Thus, IGF-IR could be the prime target of aging in down-regulating the IGF-I signaling of bmMSCs, where DCN could be a critical mediator.

Pharmacophore modeling for identification of anti-IGF-1R drugs and in-vitro validation of fulvestrant as a potential inhibitor

Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) is an important therapeutic target for breast cancer treatment. The alteration in the IGF-1R associated signaling network due to various genetic and environmental factors leads the system towards metastasis. The pharmacophore modeling and logical approaches have been applied to analyze the behaviour of complex regulatory network involved in breast cancer. A total of 23 inhibitors were selected to generate ligand based pharmacophore using the tool, Molecular Operating Environment (MOE). The best model consisted of three pharmacophore features: aromatic hydrophobic (HyD/Aro), hydrophobic (HyD) and hydrogen bond acceptor (HBA). This model was validated against World drug bank (WDB) database screening to identify 189 hits with the required pharmacophore features and was further screened by using Lipinski positive compounds. Finally, the most effective drug, fulvestrant, was selected. Fulvestrant is a selective estrogen receptor down regulator (SERD). This inhibitor was further studied by using both in-silico and in-vitro approaches that showed the targeted effect of fulvestrant in ER+ MCF-7 cells. Results suggested that fulvestrant has selective cytotoxic effect and a dose dependent response on IRS-1, IGF-1R, PDZK1 and ER-α in MCF-7 cells. PDZK1 can be an important inhibitory target using fulvestrant because it directly regulates IGF-1R.

Expression and purification of functional insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 holoreceptors from mammalian cells

The insulin receptor (IR) and insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1R) are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) involved in the regulation of many important cellular processes. The current proposed models of activation are derived from structural studies using soluble extracellular domains and cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase domains. Preparations of full length IR and IGF1R have been hampered by the need for unconventional affinity chromatography resins and/or harsh eluting conditions. Here, we present a purification protocol to obtain full-length, detergent solubilized IR and IGF1R at quantities suitable for biochemical and structural characterization. We screened a panel of 24 structurally diverse detergents for optimal ligand activation. The receptors purified in n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside showed ligand-stimulated autophosphorylation and kinase activity, suggesting an intact transmembrane signaling mechanism. This convenient purification protocol can be used to produce high quantities of IR, IGF1R, or other RTKs, and can be adapted for other challenging membrane proteins.

The IGF system

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system plays essential role in the regulation of cell growth, proliferation and survival and affects nearly every organ system in the body. IGF-I, which has a high structural similarity to insulin, exerts growth-promoting effects, influences glucose metabolism and has neuroprotective and cardioprotective effects, partly because of its cell-proliferative and antiapoptotic properties. Aberrations in the IGF system may associate with various pathological conditions, including cancer. Insulin and its synthetic analogs are known to possess IGF-IR binding affinity, and concern has been raised about their mitogenic potential in humans. The present review summarizes the main aspects of the IGF system biology and the interactions among IGF-I, insulin, insulin analogs and their receptors.

Characterisation of insulin-like growth factor receptors and insulin receptors in the human placenta using lectin affinity methods

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptors (IR, IGF-IR, IGF-IIR) from human placental cell membranes were solubilised and their glycoprotein properties were studied in terms of their interaction with five lectins: wheat germ agglutinin (WGA), banana lectin (BanLec), phytohaemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), and Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA). The pattern of binding to the immobilised lectins indicated that the glycosylation of the IGF-IR, IGF-IIR and IR differed. We found several populations of receptors in placental cell membranes, differing with respect to their oligosaccharide moieties. IGF-IIR populations bore highly branched complex type N-glycans with a very high content of oligosaccharides terminating with Sia, high-mannose type N-glycans and hybrid type N-glycans. All these glycans seemed to be attached to the same IGF-II receptor molecules. Two major glycoforms of IR were detected, one having multiple highly branched N-glycans with a low content of terminal Sia and the other, having high-mannose type glycans attached to multiple N-glycosylation sites. As for the IGF-IR, multiple glycoforms were detected, bearing complex type N-glycans with various content of Sia-terminating branches, hybrid type N-glycans or high-mannose type N-glycans. The specific binding of (125)I-IGF-II to its receptor increased in the presence of immobilised WGA and SNA, which might imply the existence of a mammalian lectin counterpart whose potential physiological significance may lie in different targeting to various membrane compartments, thereby potentially modifying their cell signalling pathways.

Biomembrane-permeable and Ribonuclease-resistant siRNA with enhanced activity

Small interfering RNAs (siRNA) could be the ideal inhibitor of specific gene expression if they could be delivered efficiently to their targets. Although siRNAs cannot by themselves cross cell membranes, they can enter cells with the help of transfection reagents via facilitated transport. Inside cells, however, they can still be hydrolyzed by cytoplasmic RNases before reaching their target. Here we show that poly-2'- O-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-siRNA (DNP-siRNA) can by itself diffuse into mammalian cells and stay in the cells for several days, with no detectable degradation. Using the DNP-RNA targeting to the insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) as an example, we demonstrate that the efficacy of this DNP-siRNA for inhibiting the growth of three different types of tumor cells is several-fold higher than that of the corresponding native siRNA. Similar results were obtained from Western blotting assay. As expected, the control siRNAs with mismatched, scrambled, and reverse sequences are all inactive. These results illustrate that both the biomembrane permeability and intracellular stability of siRNA can be greatly improved by DNP derivatization without loss of its sequence specificity.

Molecular interactions of the IGF system

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system is a complex network of two soluble ligands; several cell surface transmembrane receptors and six soluble high-affinity binding-proteins. The IGF system is essential for normal embryonic and postnatal growth, and plays an important role in the function of a healthy immune system, lymphopoiesis, myogenesis and bone growth among other physiological functions. Deregulation of the IGF system leads to stimulation of cancer cell growth and survival. In order to manipulate the IGF system in the treatment of certain disorders, we must understand the protein-protein interactions at a molecular level. The complex molecular interactions of the ligands and receptors of the IGF system underlie all the biological actions mentioned above and will be the focus of this review.

The three dimensional structure of the type I insulin-like growth factor receptor

Ever since the discovery of insulin and its role in the regulation of glucose metabolism, there has been great interest in the molecule itself, the insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), and their receptors (IR and IGF-R). These receptors form a subfamily of tyrosine kinase receptors which are large, transmembrane proteins consisting of several structural domains. Their ectodomains have a similar arrangement of two homologous domains (L1 and L2) separated by a Cys rich region. The C-terminal half of their ectodomains consists of three fibronectin type 3 repeats, and an insert domain that contains the alpha-beta cleavage site. This review summarises the key developments in the understanding of the structure of this family of receptors and their relation to other multidomain proteins. Data presented will include multiple sequence analyses, single molecule electron microscope images of the IGF-1R, insulin receptor (IR), and IR-Fab complexes, and the three dimensional structure of the first three domains of the IGF-1R determined to 2.6 A resolution by x ray crystallography. The L domains each adopt a compact shape consisting of a single stranded, right handed beta-helix. The Cys rich region is composed of eight disulphide bonded modules, seven of which form a rod shaped domain with modules associated in an unusual manner.

Serum-free culture of rabbit meniscal fibrochondrocytes: proliferative response

We have formulated a serum-free medium capable of supporting DNA synthesis in rabbit meniscal fibrochondrocytes at a level equivalent to 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). The medium consists of a 1:1 mixture of Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium and Ham's F-12 medium supplemented with transferrin (1 microgram/ml), selenium (1 pg/ml), trace metal mix (1:100), dexamethasone (100 ng/ml), insulin-like growth factors I and II (50 ng/ml each), pituitary fibroblast growth factor (100 ng/ml), and lactalbumin hydrolysate (2 micrograms/ml). Endothelial cell growth supplement could be substituted for lactalbumin hydrolysate to obtain similar results. Ventrex PC-1, a commercially available, low-protein, serum-free medium, was found to support proliferation of fibrochondrocytes but not as well as 10% FBS or our medium formulation. Lipid supplements, which are known to support the serum-free growth of hyaline chondrocytes, were found to be either of no value or antagonistic for the culture of fibrochondrocytes. Likewise, vitamin E alone, progesterone, putrescine, and hydrocortisone were also without benefit in our culture system. The cells had a more chondrocytic morphology when grown in defined medium as opposed to 10% FBS. The results of this study should now make it possible to identify and quantitate those factors necessary to affect meniscal repair by utilizing further techniques in vitro.

Mechanism of delayed ovulation in a vespertilionid bat, scotophilus heathi: role of gonadotropin, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on ovarian androstenedione synthesis to understand the mechanism responsible for delayed ovulation in Scotophilus heathi. We found that LH stimulated a dose-dependent increase in androstenedione synthesis by the ovary in vitro. This study also showed a clear seasonal variation in the ability of the ovary to produce androstenedione in vitro in response to LH and FSH stimulation. In response to LH and FSH, maximum quantities of androstenedione were produced during recrudescence in November. The same doses of gonadotropins during the preovulatory period in February stimulated comparatively low androstenedione secretion by the ovary. On the basis of these data, we suggest that in S. heathi, ovarian responsiveness to LH and FSH peaks during recrudescence. This study also showed a seasonal variation in the effects of insulin and IGF-1 on ovarian androstenedione production in vitro. Peak ovarian responsiveness to insulin and IGF-1 was observed during quiescence in September. It is hypothesized that increased insulin/IGF-1 sensitivity during September may be responsible for increased responsiveness to LH. Increased LH release, if coincident with the period of enhanced ovarian responsiveness to LH, may result in the excessive androstenedione production responsible for delayed ovulation in S. heathi.

Structure and function of the insulin-like growth factor I receptor

Insulin-like growth factors I and II (IGF-I, IGF-II) were originally identified as potent mitogens and as the mediators of growth hormone action. Besides being mitogenic, however, these polypeptide growth factors play a crucial role in cell survival, and contribute to transformation and to maintenance of the malignant phenotype. Here we will discuss signaling by the IGFs, focusing specifically on the structure and function of the IGF-I receptor and the domains of this receptor responsible for distinct IGF functions: mitogenesis, transformation, and protection from apoptosis. We will also compare the structural domains of the related but functionally distinct receptor for insulin.

Insulin receptor is phosphorylated in response to treatment of HepG2 cells with insulin-like growth factor I

1. Binding of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) to HepG2 cells was analysed with regard to competition by both insulin and IGF-I. At concentrations of insulin that caused maximal phosphorylation of the insulin receptor, virtually no displacement of IGF-I binding was observed. Similarly, at concentrations of IGF-I that caused maximal phosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor, no displacement of insulin binding was observed. 2. When the phosphorylation of both receptors was examined individually by using specific monoclonal antibodies to immunoprecipitate the receptors, phosphorylation of the insulin receptor was found to increase on both serine and tyrosine residues in cells treated with 100 ng of IGF-I/ml. In contrast, no increased phosphorylation of IGF-I receptor was observed in cells treated with 100 ng of insulin/ml. 3. The increase in phosphorylation of insulin receptor in response to IGF-I correlated with the dose-response of IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of the IGF-I receptor. 4. The IGF-I-stimulated phosphorylation of the insulin receptor could be blocked by preincubation with a monoclonal antibody that blocks IGF-I binding to the IGF-I receptor.

Insulin-like growth factor I receptor gene is concordant with c-Fes protooncogene and mouse chromosome 7 in somatic cell hybrids

The insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) mediates the actions of pituitary growth hormone in a variety of tissues. Its receptor (IGF1R) displays considerable structural similarity to the insulin receptor. In humans, the IGF1R gene has been mapped near FES, the cellular counterpart of the feline sarcoma virus transforming gene v-fes, at the q25-q26 region of human chromosome 15 (HSA15). Here, we report the mapping of mouse Igf1r to mouse chromosome 7 (MMU7) by somatic cell hybrid analysis. This result, along with the prior assignment of the loci for mitochondrial isocitrate dehydrogenase and FES to human chromosome 15 and mouse chromosome 7, suggest a conserved autosomal synteny group on the distal long arm of HSA15 and in the center of MMU7.

Insulin binding to human astrocytoma cells and its effect on uridine incorporation into nucleic acid

Binding of [125I]monoiodoinsulin to human astrocytoma cells (U-373 MG) was time dependent, reaching equilibrium after 1 h at 22 degrees C with equilibrium binding corresponding to 2.2 fmol/mg protein: this represents approximately 2,000 occupied binding sites per cell. The t1/2 of 125I-insulin dissociation at 22 degrees C was 10 min; the dissociation rate constant of 1.1 X 10(-2) s-1 was unaffected by a high concentration of unlabeled insulin (16.7 microM). Porcine insulin competed for specific 125I-insulin binding in a dose-dependent manner and Scatchard analysis suggested multiple affinity binding sites (higher affinity Ka = 4.4 X 10(8) M-1 and lower affinity Ka = 7.4 X 10(6) M-1). Glucagon and somatostatin did not compete for specific insulin binding. Incubation of cells with insulin (0.5 microM) for 2 h at 37 degrees C increased [2-14C]uridine incorporation into nucleic acid by 62 +/- 2% (n = 3) above basal. Cyclic AMP, in the absence of insulin, also stimulated nucleoside incorporation into nucleic acid [65 +/- 1% (n = 3)] above basal. Preincubation with cyclic AMP followed by insulin had an additive effect on nucleoside incorporation [160 +/- 4% (n = 3) above basal]. Dipyridamole (50 microM), a nucleoside transport inhibitor, blocked both basal and stimulated uridine incorporation. These studies confirm that human astrocytoma cells possess specific insulin receptors with a demonstrable effect of ligand binding on uridine incorporation into nucleic acid.

Increased autophosphorylation of insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin receptors in placentas of diabetic women

Autophosphorylation of insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I receptors were measured in lectin purified receptor preparations from placentas of normal and diabetic patients. The basal and insulin or IGF-I stimulated phosphorylation of the approximately 94 kD protein, corresponding to beta-subunit of the insulin and IGF-I receptors, were approximately 2 times greater (p less than 0.05) in placentas from diabetic patients with poor glycemic control (as judged by their serum HbA1c level) compared to the normals. The magnitude of IGF-I or insulin stimulation of the phosphorylation of the 94 kD protein was comparable in placentas from both diabetic and normal patients. Immunoprecipitation and immunodepletion of IGF-I receptor by alpha-IR3, a monoclonal antibody to IGF-I receptor, revealed the increased basal phosphorylation of the approximately 94 kD protein in placentas of diabetic patients to be associated with IGF-I and insulin receptors. The magnitude of IGF-I and insulin stimulated phosphorylation of the immunoprecipitated and immunodepleted IGF-I receptor, respectively, was the same in both normal and diabetic patients. These results suggested that the increased basal phosphorylation of the 94 kD protein in placentas from diabetic patients may be intrinsic to IGF-I and insulin receptor, however, the regulatory mechanisms effecting the increase may not be dependent on IGF-I or insulin.

Characterization of receptors for insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 on FRTL-5 thyroid cells

FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells have receptors for both insulin and IGF-I which can be distinguished in binding studies. The ability of TSH to regulate each in an antiparallel manner is atypical. If these receptors are shown to have independent as well as coordinate activities, studies of the mechanisms of their receptor cross-talk in these cells will be relevant to understanding IGF-I and insulin receptors in other tissues.

Insulin-like growth factor I receptors on mouse neuroblastoma cells. Two beta subunits are derived from differences in glycosylation

We have characterized receptors for the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) on the mouse neuroblastoma cell line N18 as well as NG108, the hybrid cell line of N18 and rat glioma (C6). In this cell-free system, IGF-I and insulin stimulated the phosphorylation of 95-kDa and 105-kDa proteins. Using appropriate antibodies we were able to demonstrate that the IGF-I receptor beta subunit has two subtypes of 95 kDa and 105 kDa. On the other hand, insulin receptor beta subunit is a separate single 95-kDa protein. Enzymatic digestion of IGF-I receptor beta subunit subtypes by glycopeptidase F resulted in similar molecular masses (84 kDa and 86 kDa) on SDS-PAGE, which suggests that the difference in molecular masses between two subtypes is attributable to the differences in N-linked complex-type carbohydrate chains on the extracellular domain of beta subunits. This conclusion is further supported by peptides of similar molecular mass following staphylococcal V8 protease digestion. Analysis of IGF-I receptor beta subunit subtypes in these cells may provide insights into the mechanism of action of IGF-I on neural tissues.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 stimulate the phosphorylation on tyrosine of a 160 kDa cytosolic protein in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Insulin and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor 1) rapidly stimulate the phosphorylation on tyrosine of a 160 kDa cytosolic protein (pp160) in intact 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Half-maximal phosphorylation of pp160 is attained with either 4 nM-insulin or 20 nM-IGF-1. A semi-quantitative immunoblotting procedure using anti-phosphotyrosine antibody revealed that the insulin-stimulated 3T3-L1 adipocyte possesses approx. 3 x 10(5) and 0.6 x 10(5) phosphotyrosyl sites, respectively, in pp160 and insulin receptor beta-subunit. Removal of insulin from stimulated cells results in the rapid (within 15 min) loss of phosphate groups from tyrosyl residues in both pp160 and receptor beta-subunit. Whereas pp160 remains maximally phosphorylated on tyrosine for up to 60 min in the presence of 100 nM-insulin, IGF-1 at the same concentration induces only a transient response that is maximally 50% of that observed with insulin. pp160 is not phosphorylated on tyrosine in response to platelet-derived growth factor or epidermal growth factor. Although pp160 appears to be a soluble cytoplasmic protein, in the presence of 1 mM-ZnCl2 it becomes membrane-associated. In view of its apparent cytoplasmic localization and its inability to bind to either wheat-germ agglutinin or concanavalin A, pp160 does not appear to be a typical glycoprotein growth-factor receptor. Our results suggest that pp160 may be a physiologically important cellular substrate of the insulin-receptor tyrosine kinase in the intact 3T3-L1 adipocyte.

Functional properties of an isolated alpha beta heterodimeric human placenta insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor complex

Treatment of human placenta membranes at pH 8.5 in the presence of 2.0 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) for 5 min, followed by the simultaneous removal of the DTT and pH adjustment to pH 7.6, resulted in the formation of a functional alpha beta heterodimeric insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor complex from the native alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric disulfide-linked state. The membrane-bound alpha beta heterodimeric complex displayed similar curvilinear 125I-IGF-1 equilibrium binding compared to the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric complex. Triton X-100 solubilization of the alkaline pH and DTT-pretreated placenta membranes, followed by Bio-Gel A-1.5m gel filtration chromatography, was found to effectively separate the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric and alpha beta heterodimeric IGF-1 receptor species, 125I-IGF-1 binding to both the isolated alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric and alpha beta heterodimeric complexes demonstrated a marked straightening of the Scatchard plots, compared to the placenta membrane-bound IGF-1 receptors, with a 2-fold increase in the high-affinity binding component. Similar to the membrane-bound IGF-1 receptor species, the 125I-IGF-1 binding properties between the alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric and alpha beta heterodimeric complexes were not significantly different. IGF-1 stimulation of IGF-1 receptor autophosphorylation indicated that the ligand-dependent activation of alpha beta heterodimeric protein kinase activity occurred concomitant with the reassociation into a covalent alpha 2 beta 2 heterotetrameric state.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Demonstration of type I and type II somatomedin receptors on bovine growth plate chondrocytes

The chondrocytes of the epiphyseal growth plate are the presumed target cells for hormones regulating skeletal growth. The somatomedins, a family of low molecular weight peptides, are thought to play a stimulatory role in this regulation. The cellular actions of the somatomedins are themselves determined by binding to specific receptors on target cells. Previous studies have characterized a specific receptor for somatomedin-C (Sm-C) or insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on bovine growth plate chondrocytes (GPCs). We now report the characterization of a second type of somatomedin receptor on these cells that is more specific for another class of somatomedin represented by multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA) or rat insulin-like growth factor II (rIGF-II). Binding of [125I]MSA/rIGF-II to isolated GPCs was time dependent and saturable. Unlabeled Mr 7,100 MSA/rIGF-II and Sm-C/IGF-I were approximately equipotent in competing with [125I]MSA/rIGF-II for binding, while Mr 8,600 MSA/rIGF-II was an order of magnitude less potent. Low levels of competition by insulin appeared in some studies at concentrations of 10(-7) M and higher, suggesting displacement of [125I]MSA/rIGF-II binding to the Sm-C/IGF-I receptor. In affinity-labeling studies, [125I]MSA/rIGF-I labeled a complex of Mr greater than 300,000 (unreduced) and of Mr 140,000 (reduced), consistent with a type I somatomedin receptor composed of disulfide-linked subunits. [125I]MSA/rIGF-II labeled a Mr 240,000 moiety (unreduced) and Mr 260,000 (reduced), consistent with a type II somatomedin receptor. Both affinity-labeling and kinetic data revealed cross-binding of MSA/rIGF-II and insulin with the type I receptor and of Sm-C/IGF-I with the type II receptor. In contrast, the type II receptor did not recognize insulin. These data suggest a complex pattern of graded specificity of these receptors for their ligands. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that IGF-II as well as Sm-C/IGF-I participate in the stimulation of skeletal growth.

Disulphide reduction alters the immunoreactivity and increases the affinity of insulin-like growth-factor-I receptors in human placenta

We previously identified two forms of the insulin-like growth-factor-I (IGF-I) receptor in human placenta: a lower-affinity form reactive with an autoantiserum (B-2) to the insulin receptor and a higher-affinity non-immunoreactive form [Jonas & Harrison (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 2288-2294]. Evidence is now presented that the lower-affinity immunoreactive forms are convertible into higher-affinity non-immunoreactive forms via reduction of receptor disulphide bonds. Treatment of placental membranes with increasing concentrations of dithiothreitol (DTT): (1) converted native Mr-290 000 heterotetrameric IGF-I receptors into Mr-180 000 dimers (determined by chemical cross-linking of 125I-IGF-I with disuccinimidyl suberate); (2) increased 125I-IGF-I binding, owing to an increase in receptor affinity; and (3) abolished the reactivity of Triton-solubilized IGF-I receptors with antiserum B-2 and transformed the curvilinear plot of IGF-I binding to a linear form. In isolated complexes between receptor and B-2 antibody, DTT increased 125I-IGF-I binding and released a single class of higher affinity IGF-I receptors of Mr 180,000. Thus DTT-treated IGF-I receptors have similar properties to the higher-affinity non-immunoreactive forms of the native receptor, except that reduced dimeric forms are not detected by cross-linking of 125I-IGF-I to native membranes. Cleavage of the inter-dimeric disulphide bonds is therefore not a prerequisite for higher-affinity binding or loss of immunoreactivity. These observations suggest that the thiol redox state of the IGF-I receptor in vivo is an important determinant of receptor conformation and therefore of the biological responses to IGF-I.

An atypical insulin receptor with high affinity for insulin-like growth factors copurified with placental insulin receptors

Insulin receptors purified from human placenta by sequential affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin-agarose and insulin coupled to 1,1'-carbonyldiimidazole-activated agarose (CDI-agarose) retained full binding activity but bound a greater than predicted amount of 125I-labeled insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). IGF-I and multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA; the rat homologue of IGF-II) were equipotent in displacing either 125I-labeled IGF-I or 125I-labeled MSA from the purified receptors; insulin was 5-15 times more potent. Competitive binding studies indicated that this IGF binding activity could not be explained by cross-reaction with classical insulin receptors or by coelution of IGF-I or IGF-II receptors. Instead, it was due to a minor population of discrete atypical insulin receptors (6-18% total insulin receptors) with moderately high affinity (Kd = 2-4 X 10(-9) M) for IGF-I and MSA. These receptors were not an artifact of insulin-CDI-agarose chromatography, since they were present in wheat germ lectin-agarose-purified preparations and could also be purified from insulin-succinyldiaminodipropylamino-agarose. Affinity labeling with 125I-labeled MSA revealed that these atypical receptors had the same binding subunit (Mr 140,000) as classical insulin and IGF-I receptors. They displayed intermediate reactivity with polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies to the insulin and IGF-I receptors. It is therefore likely that insulin receptors purified by immunoadsorption would also contain atypical insulin receptors. The finding of more than one type of insulin receptor might relate to the slight variations in the cDNA nucleotide sequences and the multiple mRNA species reported for the insulin receptor [Ebina, Y., Ellis, L., Jarnagin, K., Edery, M., Graf, L., Clauser, E., Ou, J.-H., Masiarz, F., Kan, Y. W., Goldfine, I. D., Roth, R. A. & Rutter, W. J. (1985) Cell 40, 747-758].

Binding properties and biological potencies of insulin-like growth factors in L6 myoblasts

Protein synthesis in rat L6 myoblasts is stimulated and protein breakdown inhibited in a co-ordinate manner by insulin-like growth factors (IGF) or insulin. For both processes, bovine IGF-1 was somewhat more potent than human IGF-1, which was effective at a tenth the concentration of insulin, rat IGF-2 or human IGF-2. A similar order of potency is noted when DNA synthesis or protein accumulation is monitored over a 24 h period, but between 20- and 50-fold higher concentrations of each growth factor are required than those needed to produce effects in the 4 h protein-synthesis or -breakdown measurements. Binding experiments with labelled human or bovine IGF-1 as ligand demonstrated competition at concentrations of IGF-2, especially human IGF-2, lower than that of either IGF-1 preparation. This pattern was much more pronounced when the radioligand was either human IGF-2 or rat IGF-2. Insulin competed 10-15% for the binding of labelled IGF-1, but not at all with labelled IGF-2. Ligand-receptor cross-linking experiments showed that labelled bovine IGF-1 bound approximately equally to the type 1 IGF receptor (Mr 130000 after reduction) and to the type 2 IGF receptor (Mr 270000 after reduction), and that unlabelled IGF-1 competed equally with radioligand binding to both receptors. On the other hand, rat IGF-2 competed more effectively for binding to the type-2 receptor, and insulin competed only for binding to the type-1 receptor. Further cross-linking experiments with rat IGF-2 as radioligand demonstrated binding only to the type-2 receptor and to proteins with Mr values after reduction of 230000 and 200000. This binding was prevented by high rat IGF-2 concentrations, less effectively by bovine IGF-1 and not at all by insulin. The apparently conflicting biological potencies and receptor binding of the different growth factors can be explained if all the biological actions are mediated via the type-1 IGF receptor, rather than through the abundant type-2 receptor.